EDINBURG — If Churchill coach Jo Anne Hultgren has learned anything about her team, it's that it won't give up.

The Chargers responded to everything Reagan threw during their Region IV-5A final. When the Rattlers left the slightest opening, they took advantage in recording a 25-23, 13-25, 25-21, 18-25, 15-13 victory Saturday at UT-Pan American to earn the school's first state tournament berth since 1998.

Reagan led Churchill 10-9 in the fifth set before the Chargers gained momentum after back-to-back hitting errors that sparked a 5-1 run. Reagan managed to fight off two match points, but another hitting error sealed it for the Chargers.

“I'm beyond excited,” said Churchill's sophomore outside hitter Abby Buckingham, who had 19 kills and 15 digs. “All the work we put into it has led up to the moment. All the hard practices, it's so worth it right now.”

One of the pivotal moments of the match came in the third set after Reagan evened things up thanks to senior outside hitter Ashlie Reasor, who had 11 of her match-high 37 kills in the second game.

Churchill seized the momentum with a 14-2 run in the third game to win it. That gave the Chargers the confidence they needed for a strong finish.

“They are fighters, and even though we played poorly in the second game, there's no fear,” Hultgren said of her players. “They don't get afraid. They come back and answer whatever is given to us.”

That has been the theme of the playoffs for the Chargers this season. They took the difficult road in the playoffs, beating Smithson Valley, O'Connor and New Braunfels just to get to the regional tournament. After sweeping McAllen Rowe in Friday's semifinal, Churchill faced Reagan for a third time this season.

They split their previous matches in District 26-5A play and ended up sharing the district championship.

The stakes obviously were much higher Saturday.

“It was full of pressure and full of excitement as well,” said Churchill junior middle blocker Taylor Martinez, who had 17 kills. “But I knew as a team we could handle it very well.”

“We had a 10-9 lead, and we didn't get it done,” Reagan coach Mike Carter said of the fifth set. “I'm excited for (Churchill), and I'm excited for their coach. It's her first chance to go to state. I really want to see her do well.”